One-pot Ni-ZSM-5 catalysts for hydrogen production from the dry reforming of methane

Abstract

Ni-ZSM-5 catalysts with different Ni loadings were synthesized by the one-pot method, using ethylenediamine as a complex agent to prevent precipitation during the hydrothermal synthesis. The effect of nickel content and synthesis time on the crystallinity of the solids was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The results showed that an increase in the synthesis time was needed to obtain catalysts with high crystallinity. The increment in the reduction temperature for the catalyst with lower Ni content indicated the formation of Ni species with higher interaction with the support. All the solids were active for the dry reforming of methane, showing the catalyst with 1.3 wt.% of Ni superior activity per gram of Ni and lower carbon formation. This catalyst was stable underthe DRM reaction even after 48 h. The performance of this solid could be attributed to the greater confinement of Ni crystallites within the support, which improved metal support interaction, as evidenced by temperature programmed reduction and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and suggested by transmission electron microscopy.